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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 26(03): e314-e320
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1718959
Original Research

Postoperative Benefit of Bone Anchored Hearing Systems: Behavioral Performance and Self-Reported Outcomes

Domenico Cuda 
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
,
Alessandra Murri 
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
,
Paolo Mochi 
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
,
Anna Mainardi 
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
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Abstract

Introduction Bone anchored hearing solutions are a well-known option for patients with a conductive, mixed conductive-sensorineural hearing loss and those with single-sided deafness.

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Ponto bone-anchored hearing system in terms of behavioral performance and self-reported outcomes, by comparing unaided and aided performance (softband and abutment), as well as aided performance with the sound processor on softband (preoperatively) versus abutment (postoperatively).

Methods Fourteen adult bone-anchored candidates, with either a bilateral (n = 12) or unilateral (n = 2) conductive or mixed hearing loss, participated in the present study. Sound-field hearing thresholds were evaluated unaided and aided (softband and abutment). A speech-in-noise test was also performed unaided and aided for two spatial configurations (S0N90; implanted side; S0N90; nonimplanted side). The Glasgow Health Status Inventory and the Speech, Spatial and Quality of sound questionnaires were administered pre- and postsurgery to compare quality of life and perceived unaided and aided performance. Skin reaction (Holgers scores) was evaluated at 15 days, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks after surgery.

Results Significant improvements postoperatively relative to unaided were obtained for sound-field thresholds at all tested frequencies. Additionally, sound-field thresholds were significantly improved with the sound processor on abutment relative to the softband at frequencies > 1 kHz. Improved performance postoperatively relative to unaided was also obtained in the speech-in-noise test and in self-reported outcomes.

Conclusions Improvements in behavioral performance and self-reported outcomes were obtained with the sound processor mounted on abutment.

Keywords

mixed hearing loss - conductive hearing loss - hearing aid - health-related quality of life


Publication History

Received: 19 January 2020

Accepted: 26 August 2020

Article published online:
19 October 2021

© 2021. Fundação Otorrinolaringologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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